The Sailing Brothers · video

What this video covers

The 58-nautical-mile coastal passage from Fiti Anga to Tauranga, New Zealand, takes the 40-foot sailboat Atlas approximately 10 hours in varying wind conditions.1:44 The crew departs in light 3-knot northwesterly winds, eventually encountering 16-knot northerlies that allow the vessel to maintain speeds of 5 to 6 knots.2:01 To optimize sail trim downwind, the crew poles out the Genoa on the port side and deploys a storm jib to balance the full mainsail.8:03 Upon approaching the Tauranga entrance, the vessel navigates a strong outgoing tide and a 30-knot wind, requiring careful steering to avoid a large cruise ship exiting the channel.18:44 The crew utilizes a Shimano LTD 30 reel for fishing during the transit and tests lidded bowls to manage meals in choppy conditions.3:59 The passage concludes with a challenging entry through a current-swept channel, where the boat crabs sideways before reaching the anchorage.20:46

Boats in this video

More from The Sailing Brothers

300-Mile Offshore Passage: Shifting Winds & Near MissesSep 2026HE HELD US HOSTAGE?! Sep 2026What We Found Beyond the City Lights...Sep 2026Sailing from PARADISE to the Loudest City in IndonesiaAug 2026

From The Sailing Brothers — see the channel’s boat, crew, and every analyzed video.

The Sailing Directory Newsletter

One email with the fleet's best finds — the moments, boats, and stories worth your watch time. Enter your own address to get your own copy.